Apalone spinifera pallida

(Webb, 1962)

Vernacular names
English : Spiny softshell turtle
French : Tortue molle à épines

Classification
Class : Reptilia
Order : Testudines
Family : Trionychidae
Notes : 5 other subspecies known.

Identification
The species reaches up to 48 cm in body length. Soft, flat and rounded shell. Elongated nose, triangular head. Lips are yellow to white. Yellow lines from head to neck. Shell olive-grey. This subspecies has white spots on rear of shell.

Range and habitat
This subspecies occurs in Texas, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Mississippi river drainage. Species found in east and south USA and extreme north-east Mexico. Lives in rivers, lakes, mashes and man-made ponds with sandy or muddy bottoms.

Conservation
IUCN RED LIST : LEAST CONCERN
CITES : Appendix II
Status : The species seems to be relatively common in most of its range. It may be vulnerable to wetland destruction and pollution on the long term.
Ex-Situ Programs : None known

Observation

 

Back to “Freshwater Turtles” page